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How Health Professionals Qualify

There are many routes into the healthcare profession, and while some courses require a rigid regimes of several years’ study, there are also easier and more practical courses that enable people to work within healthcare. Here are a few examples of how those people that keep you healthy get their qualifications.

Nurses

Studying to be a nurse used to have several different routes, but now nurses qualify by taking a three year degree course in nursing. Study can be taken at a variety of universities including institutions like Middlesex University, who offer the full range of nursing courses. Online nursing classes are becoming widely available, and nurses can even obtain their MSN online to advance their career further.

Nurses usually choose to qualify in one of four separate areas: adult, childcare, disability and mental health nursing. Their studies include a mixture of classroom learning, as well as a series of supervised practical placements, which let them learn on the job and get the valuable experience and confidence they need when they become fully qualified.

Doctors

The route to being a doctor is a long one, but can be one of the most rewarding careers. Trainee doctors embark on a five year degree course, which has a mixture of study and placements within the community.

After qualifying, new doctors will then work within a hospital environment and study towards their Foundation training, which takes a further two years. During this period they will work within a variety of areas such as surgery, and in areas where there is a shortage of doctors. At this point doctors will usually choose a speciality area such as GP, surgery, registrar or emergency medicine and then take further training to become fully qualified.

Pharmacists

Pharmacists hold a key role in the treatment of patients, as they have to advise doctors on medicines, and also mix and make the right dosages for patients. To qualify as a pharmacist, it takes a four year Masters course with the General Pharmaceutical Council, plus a one year work experience placement. After this, pharmacists can then decide whether to work within a hospital, in the community or at a primary care centre such as a GP surgery.

Paramedic

To become a paramedic, you must study though depending on your experience and qualifications it can take as little as two years. Many universities offer courses including undergraduate degrees, foundation programmes and diplomas. Prospective paramedics must also have a manual driving licence to qualify. After qualifying, paramedics must register with the Health and Care Professions Council in order to practise.